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Summer is coming and so is it’s friend, humidity!

After this long, long winter, we are sure people are more than ready for summer. But, don’t forget that summer usually invites it’s friend humidity along for the ride. Humidity can cause a variety of health issues, like mold, mildew, and musty smells, plus it wreaks havoc on most people’s hair.

Another benefit to having a dehumidifier is that it will save your air conditioner some effort and energy. Air conditioners draw moisture out of the air as part of the cooling process, but less efficiently than a dehumidifier. If your house is humid, the air-conditioner will have to work extra to cool the house down. Letting a dehumidifier remove the moisture will help your air conditioner cool the room efficiently.*

*Please note that a dehumidifier will not work to cool down a room, and models that are not energy-efficient will generate enough heat of their own to negate the positive effects on the air conditioner.

Dehumidifiers can be costly to run in the summer, so it’s important to purchase an Energy Star model to save electricity.

The size you need depends on the size of the space you are trying to dry, as well as the amount of moisture in the air. Dehumidifier size nomenclature refers to the amount of moisture the unit can pull out of the air in 24 hours. A 50-pint dehumidifier, for example, removed 50 pints of water in a day. This size is suitable for basements and crawl spaces of up to 2000 feet with moderate moisture. A 70-pint model is good for a larger area or a small space that is very damp. If you smell or see signs of moisture, bump up to the next larger size dehumidifier for your space’s dimensions.

As your dehumidifier draws moisture out of the air, the water condenses and collects in the machine’s bucket. Once the bucket fills, the machine turns off until the bucket is emptied. Depending on conditions, the bucket may need to be emptied frequently. If your dehumidifier is set up near a sump hole or other drainage source, you can connect a drain hose to the machine. Some models will even pump to a drain line above the machine. This allows water to drain continuously, which means the machine will continue to run until the desired humidity level is achieved, with no buckets to empty.

We sell three different dehumidifier models here at Page’s.

The Frigidaire 50- and 70-pint models have both an automatic shutoff when the tank is almost full and also an option to have effortless continuous drain so you never have to worry about emptying the water bucket. Includes a washable filter and works in temperatures down into the 40’s. Set the desired humidity percent, fan speed, and/or timer for maximum comfort. Energy Star certified.

The Friedrich D70BP dehumidifier can pump condensation vertically or horizontally for up to 15 feet, a continuous-drainage operation, removable bucket with carry handle and the option to adjust the humidity from 30% to 90%.